Breathing air from a compressor

[R6 Racer]

I reciently acquired a full coverage face mask that has an air line connector.
What I do not know is weather I can hook it up to my air system & safely breath the air.
Anyone know the answer? If not, is there a way to filter it so I can breath safely?
I really like the idea of fresh air when breathing gets thick from grinding & sanding.

Ideas...


Steve

 

[sberry]

Special comp or filter.

 

[Bogie1632]

Not all air is the same. I looked in to this for a shop a few years back. Yes, you can use a regular compressor, but there are some serious considerations to be addressed. We decided is was not worth it and for those areas and jobs that needed it just went to good ventilation systems and good filtered masks. Garage use would of course be different than an industrial area but I wouldn't skimp on breathing safety.

Check out OSHA. Good place to start down this path.
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.134

This is from airsystems.com.

Q: Do I have to buy a compressor specifically designed for breathing air?
A: No. While we would like to say yes, the answer is no as long as the compressor is well maintained and has good, clean ambient intake air free from gas and particulate contamination and is not using PAO or harmful synthetic lubricating oils. Breathing air filtration package and CO monitor must be used on existing compressors.
Q: What is the difference between a breathing air compressor and a plant air compressor?
A: Breathing air compressor systems are designed with respirator use as the focused utility. The size of the compressor, FDA Food-grade lubricating oil, Grade - D filtration, CO monitor, refrigerated dryer, receiver tank with condensation drain, and air distribution system must be specifically sized for the number of workers and types of respirators in use. A plant compressor is not.

Good luck.

V/R
Bogie

 

[jdsac]

Don't take a chance- supplied air compressors for breathing air are meant for this application.
Google "bullard" for one & learn about them.

 

[66Caprice]

One of the things you must protect yourself from is breathing dirty air. If there is any oil in the air it will get into your lungs and stay there. As it builds up you get to die a horrible death.......
It happened here at work many years ago a man changed out the air line fitting on his fresh air mask so he could plug in into the supplied shop air. Well here at work they run oil in the air to help lubricate the air tools. It wasn't long before he developed breathing issues and passed away from it...
Be smart and either get the appropriate compressor or the appropriate filter.

 

[nh_yota]

One of the things you must protect yourself from is breathing dirty air. If there is any oil in the air it will get into your lungs and stay there. As it builds up you get to die a horrible death.......
It happened here at work many years ago a man changed out the air line fitting on his fresh air mask so he could plug in into the supplied shop air. Well here at work they run oil in the air to help lubricate the air tools. It wasn't long before he developed breathing issues and passed away from it...
Be smart and either get the appropriate compressor or the appropriate filter.

This is the primary concern, assuming your compressor intake is sucking in clean air to begin with.

 

[ford33]

Don't know if this is correct or safe... but what using a CPAP machine. These machines provide safe breathing air.

Maybe an older machine could be purchased and used with a respirator.

 

[ncfireman1918]

Don't know if this is correct or safe... but what using a CPAP machine. These machines provide safe breathing air.

Maybe an older machine could be purchased and used with a respirator.

As a nightly CPAP user (for 6 years or so), I don’t know that this would make much difference. The machine takes in ambient air, through a little dust filter, and that’s what is pressurized. You may be able to rig up some sort of better filtration, but it likely wouldn’t be as clean as you’d want. I travel a lot for work, and always notice that for the first night that I’m back, my CPAP smells like the last hotel room I was in. That tells me that it’s likely sucking up a lot more than clean air.

 

[casmurbax]

silly question...

Why do you want to breathe air from your compressor over buying a specific use compressor? Is this a cost saving thing?

So many variables exist, for example is the compressor you will be using a gas powered one?

 

[JeepJohn62]

The hobbyair machines provide air for supplied respirators. They used to sell a less expensive model without the certification sticker. Still, they used to hover around $500 or so.

When I painted my jeep in the garage booth, I built my own air supply. I have a standard air filter mask with N95 filters and a prefilter insert. The prefilter is held on with a plastic cover over the N95 canister.

I took a PVC fitting (about 1") and some washers, and mounted this to each side of the mask to the prefilter cover. I used some inexpensive corrugated plastic hose to build a "Y" connector that slips over the PVC fittings.

Then I ran a 20 foot or so section of this same hose out to a box with a bathroom fan. The fan pushed plenty of fresh air to my mask providing a positive pressure. I also wore a tyvek hood over this setup. Note that I was breathing fresh air double filtered thru the N95 cans also. Obviously, the fan must be placed in a location with fresh air. Worked great and I could paint leisurely with fresh air that also provided cooling flow under the hood.

Welding and grinding produce hot metal particles that are not friendly to a plastic hose. So this may not suffice for your needs. I was just relating some ideas that worked for me in my application.

First, I would ventilate the general area as much as possible to reduce the airborne dust and particles in your breathing area. Then use an appropriate filter system mask to protect your lungs. You only get one chance to do this right.

A small investment in safety equipment is always cheaper than a hospital room.

Sent from my SM-A102U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[TLGriff]

You need an oil free source of air and piston type air compressors don't fall into that category. I use a vane type pump (Gast) for mine. You also need to consider the type of hose used. Those intended for breathing air are readily available and won't leach bad stuff into the air, unlike PVC hoses. It goes without saying that the intake hose must be located well away from the work area where it can pick up clean air.

Tom

 

[mooseracing]

Our breathing air goes through filter like this https://www.filtertechs.info/products-page/eagle-compressor/x34247-2/

Typical Application: Breathing Air (Grade D)
Removes: H2O, CO, Hydrocarbons, Oil, Taste & Odor, Particles

Almost 3ft long of different materials. We also send it out to be tested to make sure we aren't "eating" any contaminants.

 

[66Caprice]

silly question...

Why do you want to breathe air from your compressor over buying a specific use compressor? Is this a cost saving thing?

So many variables exist, for example is the compressor you will be using a gas powered one?

Silly yes... BUT a very important subject that needs it's voice heard! Especially since it is a life or death situation that many people do not know about.

 

[rlitman]

As a nightly CPAP user (for 6 years or so), I don’t know that this would make much difference. The machine takes in ambient air, through a little dust filter, and that’s what is pressurized. You may be able to rig up some sort of better filtration, but it likely wouldn’t be as clean as you’d want. I travel a lot for work, and always notice that for the first night that I’m back, my CPAP smells like the last hotel room I was in. That tells me that it’s likely sucking up a lot more than clean air.

I think that for this purpose, a CPAP is no different than any other remote air source. Being that you're putting a hose between it and you, the correct answer is to place the air source where it is getting clean air. That is always more desirable than filtration.

But I don't see how a CPAP would be any better than an oilless turbine such as is used for HVLP.

 

[ZRX61]

Good chance of getting a snoot full of carbon monoxide from regular comp air.

 

[Marctrees]

Mostly for sandblasting... I use a common canvas w internal hardhat blasting hood...

W a dedicated NEVER use for any other purpose smallest Sears shop vac and 25' 1 1/4" shop vac hose... Stored in a sealed big garbage bag...

The hose goes up my back, under the hood about 8", and dumps under the hood... Couple Tyraps pierced through canvas to hold it...

Cool fresh air flooding the entire interior driving out the sweat and everything else.

Shop vac is placed behind door in area that has NO blasting dust.

That's my Redneck breathing air.

Have yet to put a little speed control on the rig cause velocity can get too chilling if not middle of TX summer... like an air tool freezing your hands removing the heat.


I would never do this w air compressed from a non specific approved for purpose Comp.

Marc

 

[tboy]

I wish I could dig up the specific product we used years ago. I was working as an production engineer and we added a supplied air system for our painters in a production booth (heavy mfg production, these guys did not leave the booth). We started with a supplied air respirator, worn like a fanny pack around their waist which filtered and pushed air into the mask. We moved on to a compressed air system for two reasons, the weight of the attached hose was negligible, and the compressed air system you could add an "air conditioner" to the air (painters could dial in the temperature, which is nice when you are wearing a tyvek suit).

The system we had was osha approved, had a few filters, and alarms that made sure the air was clean. It had regular replacement intervals and hour counters to make sure you replaced the required filters. Definitely a sweet set up the painters loved. Not cheap though, I think it was about 2500$ which is a bit pricey for a DIY'er.

 

[Marctrees]

TLGriff - Is the Gast approved for breating air?

Just asking cause I know some Gast pumps use carbon impeller vanes that do slowly wear and give a microscopic addition of dust to the output.

Really should confirm this... you probably already know... just saying for the other readers out there.

Marc

 

[Marctrees]

Come to think of it I need to confirm my shop vac has no air flow path carrying carbon motor brush dust.

Marc

 

[driftpin]

https://www.browniedive.com/

My friend does installs of their systems on yachts and submarines.

Not cheap, but designed for it, how-much are your lungs worth?

 

[cosmo52]

Mount a kitchen stove hood outside (fresh air) and plumb the discharge into the shop work area with a light weight hose (think 1 1/2" plastic corrugated cheapo drain hose) into your mask/hood. As long as the run is not to long you will have lots of fresh clean air to breathe

 

[R6 Racer]

Wow
Lots of info, thanks to everyone .

I have thought about getting a good breathing, hearing, face & eye protection system for a while now. Unfortunately as of now that's all it is, a thought.

I started this thread when I found this "demand" style respirator mask. It was included with a bunch of other stuff I bought a while back & has a "M" type air fitting on the end of its 3' supply hose. I had a feeling there would be more to it than just plugging it in. I wanted to be sure it would be safe before I used it & I knew this was the place to get the info I needed. Having read all your posts, I thing this mask is going into the "sell" pile, it's not what I need.



jdsac thanks for the "Bullard" suggestion. It looks like they might have what I'm looking for. I only wish there was pricing on their site.
I'm so tired of trying to get prescription glasses, ear defenders, a respirator or dust mask & a face shield all fitting properly. It's a royal pain! I really like the idea of having my whole head protected & clean when doing all the "messy" work.

If anyone has a different system I would like to know what you use. No, wait, I'm going to start another thread... "Protection!What do you use?"
Think anyone will read it?


Steve

 

[Lootenny]

Might be cheaper to get a used SCUBA setup, but then you’d still have to get the bottle filled.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[TLGriff]

TLGriff - Is the Gast approved for breating air?

Just asking cause I know some Gast pumps use carbon impeller vanes that do slowly wear and give a microscopic addition of dust to the output.

Really should confirm this... you probably already know... just saying for the other readers out there.

Marc

I did research this and found that there are many SAR systems on the market that use rotary vane compressors with carbon vanes. Any dust produced by the blades is addressed by an inline HEPA filter.

Tom

 

[greg13]

Bullard is available through Grangers. Sandblasters use them with a fresh air hood.

 

[My Old Tools]

just buy a SCUBA tank and a cheap regulator. Air fills are about $10 and should last a long time at surface pressures. Used tanks are around $100 or less if they need recertified. Used regs are $20 to $75. You don't need a great one.

 

[SGKent]

any oil mist that gets in your lungs NEVER leaves, it becomes part of your lungs, and the carcinogens in the oil get free reign on your body. That is why diving air is super filtered.

NAUI and PADI certified 45 years.

 

[nadogail]

If I remember correctly, probably some 56 years ago before we had a "big brother government watching out for us" I recall reading that the exhaust from pneumatic tools could be included in the ventilation supplied in confined spaces.

 

[TLGriff]

If I remember correctly, probably some 56 years ago before we had a "big brother government watching out for us" I recall reading that the exhaust from pneumatic tools could be included in the ventilation supplied in confined spaces.

Not sure it was even that long ago. I am very familiar with the smell.

Tom

 

[MacMcMacmac]

I remember cleaning up an oil spill on a compressor room about 25yrs ago and the guys who were doing some sandblasting came into the room and demanded to know what I was using to clean the floor (varsol) since it was causing such a stink in their hoods. I looked at the oil flooded vanes and screw compressors and thought, man you guys are ******* nuts! If you can smell varsol in the air, the filtration you are using is pretty worthless.

 

[DenisG]

It's not just the oil. Think of the dirty water that comes out when you drain a tank. An air pump will make that into a concentrated mist for you to breathe.
https://www.airbestpractices.com/st...mpressed-air-gmps-gfsi-food-safety-compliance

 

[like2wheel]

just buy a SCUBA tank and a cheap regulator. Air fills are about $10 and should last a long time at surface pressures. Used tanks are around $100 or less if they need recertified. Used regs are $20 to $75. You don't need a great one.

Good luck getting an out of cert tank filled unless you know someone.

And who wants that tank strapped to your back while working?

 

[Busted Knucles]

Good luck getting an out of cert tank filled unless you know someone.

And who wants that tank strapped to your back while working?

He did not suggest using a tank that was not certified. He was simply saying you can buy one that needs recertification.

 

[NUTTSGT]

That scuba bottle will probably last for about 30 minutes while working. The harder you're working, the faster it will empty out. Getting refills will get old after awhile. However, the tank will get lighter as you empty it.

You need to be very careful where you're sourcing your air from with breathing systems. You may also find the air is quite dry and may cause you to have a cough after use.

 

[Ben Buck]

I worked at a tool store years ago. Had a woman come in looking at air compressors on display.

General questions were asked - what air tools and other such equipment would be used . trying to see which one would be the best for her.

Turns out, she wanted a compressor to revive patients at a nursing home she worked for. If one stopped breathing she was going to hook them up to it !!!

 

[driftpin]

I worked at a tool store years ago. Had a woman come in looking at air compressors on display.

General questions were asked - what air tools and other such equipment would be used . trying to see which one would be the best for her.

Turns out, she wanted a compressor to revive patients at a nursing home she worked for. If one stopped breathing she was going to hook them up to it !!!

Sounds like that woman never-had an American Heart Association Basic Rescuer Course, where she would have been instructed in the use of infant, pediatric, and adult bag-valve-masks. Probably a know-nothing administrator.

 

[exranger06]

I worked at a tool store years ago. Had a woman come in looking at air compressors on display.

General questions were asked - what air tools and other such equipment would be used . trying to see which one would be the best for her.

Turns out, she wanted a compressor to revive patients at a nursing home she worked for. If one stopped breathing she was going to hook them up to it !!!

Now THAT is super scary. And I'm not even talking about breathing dirty or oily air, either. That would be the least of the patients' worries. I'm picturing this lady sending upwards of 100 psi of compressed air directly inside of someone's lungs and body. Their lungs would pop like a balloon and who knows what else would rupture from the pressure. I think we often get complacent with compressed air and don't realize just how dangerous it can be. It's easy to think it's not dangerous when it's the same stuff that envelops our bodies 24/7.

 

[sberry]

Asking how to do it cause you got something for cheap is different than what is a good idea and good practice.
Get some dust masks and use them, get a box, get a common respirator for some jobs. Keep swept up, wear a mask, vacuum for getting the place cleaner. Tune some ventilation.

 

[sberry]

For doing common work all that other **** will be such a pain in the azz that it will be on the shelf in a hurry. Find and use simple protection appropriate for the job at hand.

 

[sberry]

I have used the stuff. I paint Imron on occasion and use a common full face mask, gloves and coveralls. I don't do it every day. But,,, my booth is so good and am aware of what I am doing that I can tune it and myself where I am not in the plume, aint got it blowing all over me, turn upwind, blow overspray in to the draft etc that I can barely smell it and don't have it soaked on my cloths, take the coveralls off and don't put them in my office.
It needs to be safe enough, doesn't need to be done exactly the same way it would be at a plant with the osha man standing next to me.
Same for sanding and grinding, chip and scrape first, blow the dross and dust away some, change the air.